Non-Cooperation Movement

The non-cooperation movement was a nationwide movement launched on the 4th of September 1920, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The movement was launched in the wake of  series of events like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the passing of the Rowlatt Act. The movement was able to accrue the sympathy of the masses and established Gandhiji as the leader of the resistance. It was active for only two short years and was dissolved due to the Chauri Chaura incident. 

In the following sections, we will discuss the causes of the movement, why it was called off, and its significance in the Indian freedom struggle. 

A summary about Non-Cooperation Movement 

Mahatma Gandhi announced the non-cooperation manifesto in March of 1920. Through this manifesto, Gandhiji wanted people to eradicate untouchability from society and adopt swadeshi practices and habits. In many speeches, Gandhiji assured people that Swaraj could be achieved in one year with this movement. 

• The non-cooperation movement was a non-violent and peaceful protest by the Indians against the British. The movement was built around the principle that the Britishers could rule over India for so long because the Indians co-operated
• The main focus of this movement was to destabilize the government by boycotting its various services. Therefore, people boycotted going to school, to colleges, and buying foreign goods
• Through this movement, the Indian National Congress wished to achieve self-governance
• People with government jobs were asked to resign from their government jobs, remove their kids from government-funded schools and colleges, boycott foreign goods, and buy only Indian-made goods
• People were also asked to boycott the upcoming elections and relinquish any state-given titles
• Several high-profile lawyers like CR Das, Saifuddin Kitchlew, Sardar Patel, Motilal Nehru gave up their practices supporting the movement
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was instrumental in spreading the movement across Gujarat
• Gandhiji withdrew the movement in February of 1920 due to the Chauri Chaura Incident.This was a controversial choice that drew a lot of criticism from various prominent leaders like Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, CR Das, and Lala Lajpat Rai

People’s reaction to the non-cooperation movement

• Since people were boycotting all foreign goods, the movement had proven to be very profitable for the Indian businessman. Therefore, the movement saw full support from the Indian businessmen
• For the first time, farmers and the labour class felt they could voice their disdain and unacceptance of British rule with this movement
• The movement saw participation from a record number of women and people who had received honours and titles from the British government.

Causes of the movement

• Indians had supported Britain’s war efforts during World War 1 hoping that the British would reward this with self-governance. However, that was not the case, and after the war, the British passed even more repressive laws to suppress the Indian people
• People were resentful towards the government because of the economic hardships caused by World War 1
• People’s faith in the British justice system was crushed after the courts did not take adequate action against General Dyer after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre
• People’s faith in the legal system was crushed once again when the Rowlatt Act was passed. This act allowed courts to perform trials without juries

Calling-off the Non-Cooperation Movement 

• The most prominent reason for calling off the non-cooperation movement was the Chauri Chaura incident
• Chauri Chaura is a village that is part of the Gorakhpur District, Uttar Pradesh. On 4th February 1922, several protestors taking part in the non-cooperation movement were fired at and in retaliation, the protestors set fire to a police station. The incident led to the death of 3 civilians and 22 police officers
• Gandhiji was taken aback by this incident and called off the non-cooperation movement. However, several Indian national Congress leaders like Motilal Nehru and C R Das were unhappy with this decision because they were of the belief that due to  few violent episodes the whole movement should not have been discontinued

Significance of the Non-Cooperation Movement 

While the non-cooperation movement was not successful in winning India its freedom, it significantly impacted the Indian freedom struggle. 

• The movement became a mass movement as lakhs of protestors peacefully protested against the regime. This was able to send a message to the Britishers who were left stumped by the size of the movement
• The movement saw participation from the middle-class as well as the labour class. Poor farmers, peasants, and workers showed non-cooperation in whichever way they could
• The movement was able to unite Indians across all religions against a common opposition
• The movement led to opening of several national institutes like Bengal national University, National Muslim University, Jamia Milia Islamia, Kashi Vidyapith, etc
• This movement was able to increase people’s participation in politics. It made people more aware of their rights
• Mahatma Gandhi’s role in the non-cooperation movement was significant. Through this movement, Mahatma Gandhi was able to establish himself as the leader of the people

Conclusion

The Non Cooperation movement is one of the most important events in the history of the Indian freedom struggle against the British. Questions based on this movement may be asked in the UPSC exam. Read the article thoroughly to prepare for any questions regarding this topic.